A former university police officer and corrections officer has been arrested on theft charges.
According to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Antony Mellott, 48, has been charged with felony embezzlement. Mellott worked at the Mississippi University for Women Police Department in Columbus and is accused of stealing a handheld radio, a bulletproof vest, and a badge upon resigning from his position.
Mellott was a corrections officer at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center at the time of his arrest but is no longer employed at the jail.
“The trust placed in law enforcement and corrections officers is a serious responsibility, and we will always hold our employees accountable for their actions,” Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. “This behavior is unacceptable, and our office is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity.”
Mellott was given a $10,000 bond. The case remains under investigation.
